Hypnotized by Lacey Wolfe Page A

me.”
    He said it so nonchalantly. It was no big deal to him, but it was to me. “Does she know about me?”
    Gabe groaned and his frustration threw me for a loop. “Yes, she does.”
    At least she knew he was mine—for now.
    “Did you want something? I’ll go up there and order it,” he asked.
    I hopped up, letting my chair scoot back roughly. “I can get it.”
    I didn’t want them talking to each other more than they had to. But as I approached the register, I realized that meant I had to talk to Leah.
    “What can I get you?” Irritation laced her tone.
    “A medium mocha and a cheese Danish.”
    She pulled a marker from behind the resister and picked up a cup. “Name.”
    No one else was here. Did she really need to be so precise? Besides, Gabe said she knew my name. “Paisley.”
    Leah wrote it then looked me up and down. “That’ll be six dollars and seventy-five cents.”
    I dug through my purse for my wallet, but then Gabe appeared at me side. “It’s on me. Put Paisley’s stuff on my tab from now on.”
    Leah spun around quickly, her brown pony tail moved with her.
    “You don’t have to do that,” I said as we walked back over to the table.
    With his hand on my lower back, he said, “Of course I do. You’re my girlfriend.”
    At that instant, the whole Leah jealousy thing went away. That was right. I was his girlfriend. “Are you working tonight? We could go back to my place.”
    Leah appeared with my stuff. She set it on the table, then turned on her heels and went back to the register. What a bitch.
    “I’m not working tonight, but I can’t come over either. I wish I could.”
    “Oh, okay.” Disappointment flooded me.
    “My dad will be here soon. It’s inventory night and he wants me to help.”
    “Will Leah be here?” I hadn’t meant to say that out loud.
    Gabe caressed my chin. “I have no idea, and I don’t care. You shouldn’t either.”
    Maybe I was being silly. I took a bite of my Danish, and glanced back toward Leah. She had her back to us again and was on her phone, or so I assumed. It was exciting to be the one with the hot guy all the girls wanted, for once. I’d never experienced this before. A girl could get used to it.
    I devoured my Danish in record speed. “So, want to walk me home, at least?”
    “I’d be honored.” He winked.
    I really just wanted to get him alone so I could kiss him. It seemed like all I thought about these days were his lips. After I stood, I picked up my drink and we headed for the door. I tossed a look at Leah and she watched us. Without a second though, I grabbed his hand and we went outside.
    We began to walk in the direction on my place, but then a male voice called to Gabe.
    “Hey, Dad.” He let go of my hand.
    “Where are you off to?” His dad’s gaze was focused on me.
    “Walking Paisley home.”
    His father put his hand out for me to shake. After I took it, he squeezed a little too tight. “I’m Mr. Cox.”
    Cox. It took everything in me to contain a smile. “Nice to meet you.”
    Mr. Cox turned his attention back to Gabe. “Don’t be late.”
    Gabe took my hand again and we walked away.
    “He seems cool.” Though I didn’t really know.
    “He’s a real asshole.” Gabe’s tone was gruff.
    I didn’t press. Gabe’s life was a mystery to me. It seemed I was always talking about mine, but didn’t know much about his. Maybe I needed to make a point to talk to him more about him. For all I knew, he needed someone to talk to.
    We strolled up to my building. “You sure you don’t want to come up?”
    “Can’t. Sorry.”
    I shrugged. “I understand. Your dad is waiting on you.”
    He grabbed my hips and tugged me to him. He lowered his lips to mine, and like usual, everything heated up right away, and I wanted much more than this kiss. Maybe it was a good thing he couldn’t come in.
    The kiss ended much too soon. He pressed his forehead to mine and gazed in to my eyes. “Have I mentioned how much my dad’s an